Mi Manizales del Alma

Figure: This promotional logo illustrates three emblems of Manizales: The Basilica Cathedral, The "Nevado del Ruiz" volcano and a radiant sun which represents the shiny days and the beautiful sunsets at my home city.

Have a look at the Manizales Photo Tour page.

Manizales is a middle-sized city in the central/western side of Colombia. It has 380.000 inhabitants and is located in The Andes mountain range, under the brooding watch of "Nevado del Ruiz" volcano, which is one of the most beautiful National Parks of Colombia (5311 meter above sea level). The city has an average elevation of 2150 meter above sea level and has an average temperature of 18ºC (Climate is moderate, it is rarely gets warmer than 23ºC and seldom colder than 13ºC). Manizales is the centre of the Colombian coffee region; farms, processing factories and a leading research institute for coffee are located in the proximities of the city.

The history of Manizales goes back to the year 1848, when twenty expeditionary men from Antioquia —one of the most important regions in Colombia— founded a small village on a steep place between the Chinchiná and Guacaica Rivers. Manizales flourished as an economic and cultural centre during the first half of twenty century, due to the fast growth of businesses related to coffee. Much of the rich heritage of the period has been preserved and many of the Republican buildings in the historic centre have been beautifully restored.

The presence of seven universities has a strong influence on the cultural and social character of the city; in addition, the peaceful and calm atmosphere has become the city a favourite location for meetings and conferences. Each year, in January, Manizales celebrates its Festival "Feria de Manizales", which includes bullfights, Miss Coffee Contest, exhibitions of handiworks and specialty coffees, among other events. There are festivals of music and theatre; for example: The Jazz Festival, the Piano Season and The Latin american Festival of Theatre.

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